Sunday, July 31, 2011

Counting the days...

School here starts on the 16th of August. It can't be soon enough. With the extreme heat, my kids have been stuck in this house driving me insane. And trust me, it's not a long drive! 


Our school has decided on a 4 day school week this year...trying to save money. I suppose in the end it will in fact save money, but at what cost to the parents & kids? The kids wont actually be going to school any longer than normal. So, with a day missing...I think they're actually missing a lot of actual school learning. Then the parents who work all week have to find a sitter for Mondays...ugh. 


But, the school board decided this without any input from parents...No need for a vote either...they just know whats best for everyone...so.. it's bound to be a good idea...right?...*sigh*

Friday, July 29, 2011

RE: My eBay Store for Bottle Cap Images

It took me an extra month to be sure, but I have in fact closed my eBay store (CLOSED). I've been keeping a good accounting of my costs verses my profit, and thanks to all of eBays constant fee increases...I'm actually not making a profit anymore. Although I do love making the images for people to use in their crafts project..If I'm not making a profit...it's not doing me any good to do it. 
I will be available for custom orders or if anyone needs any of the images they've bought before. I just won't be using eBay to sell them anymore. eBay used to be the best way to sell, but as I said...the fee's just keep going up. I've already increased my prices twice to make up for the lack of profit...and it's getting to the point that noone will buy them if I'm twice the price of everyone else. Even though my images are the best quality you can find. 


Just a little FYI: My costs include Kodak photo paper, HP photo quality inks (2 in the set to print photo images) and of course the minor supplies like envelopes and baggies for the images. At the price of $3.50 per set, eBay took 50 cents + the new fee on shipping costs. Then Paypal takes another 50 cents, leaving me with about $2.00 in profit before costs. After the costs of the paper and ink...I'm left with about 20 cents per order. This does not include the eBay fee's for listing and having a store. 


I'm still selling on Etsy, and as although I make very little for the digital images, it's still more cost effective for everyone compared to eBay. 


Sorry folks, but when it comes down to it...If I'm not making a profit...why should I do it?